Shops targeted by ram raiders
As the first part of the easing of lockdown, children across the UK started headed back to school this week. We asked you to share your photos of youngsters getting ready to go back to class. And it looks these little learners are raring to go.
Ram raiders smashed a car into two Sunderland shops in the early hours of yesterday morning leaving a trail of damage in the city.
Two suspects have since beenarrestedbypoliceandremain in police custody following the early-morning spree.
Shortly before 1.30am yesterday, officers were called to abreak-inattheHarbourView service station on Dame Dorothy Street, in Roker, where offenders had driven into the shutters to gain entry before stealing various items.
They then made off in a car andlessthan45-minuteslater, a similar report of offenders having driven a car into the front of the One Stop shop on Blind Lane, Silksworth, was made to officers.
Shocking pictures show the damage to the front of the Silksworth Convenience store.
Officers searched for the vehicle believed to be involved and soon saw a silver Volkswagen, which had substantial damage, driving on Ryhope Road.
The occupants of the car made off from officers and the vehicle was found abandoned
near the Civic Centre, having gone off-road.
Officers swarmed the area in a bid to find the offenders who had fled on foot and two men, who matched the suspects’ descriptions, were located nearby.
The men – aged 30 and 37 – were arrested on suspicion of burglary. They remain in police custody and are assisting detectives with their inquiries.
Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith, of the Southern Burglary Team, said: “While officers carried out enquiries at the respective premises, we also deployed teams across the city in order to try and locate the vehicle believed to have been used to carry out the offences. Within an hour, a silver car caught officers’ attentionandafternoticingsubstantial damage to the rear of the vehicle, we moved in – but the occupants weren’t willing to give up easily.
“After abandoning the vehicle and making off on foot, our officers used their knowledge of the local area and soon located two men who we suspected to have been involved. They will be interviewed in connection with the offences this afternoon.
“We will not tolerate this type of crime and would like to reassure businesses that we will do everything possible to ensure those responsible are swiftly detained and brought to justice.”